Panasonic announced today its much-anticipated web-enabled PZ850 series of VIERA Plasma HDTVs will be available at retail beginning in mid-June.
The flagship line's wide range features is highlighted by VIERA CAST which provides access to some of the most popular content sites on the Internet today - YouTube, Google's Picasa Web Album and Bloomberg. The VIERA line was initially previewed at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in January 2008.
Panasonic's VIERA 1080p PZ850 series promises enhanced contrast ratio, deeper blacks, faster response time and high picture quality in four screen sizes - the 46-inch class TH-46PZ850 (46.0" measured diagonally), the 50-inch class TH-50PZ850 (49.9" measured diagonally), the 58-inch class TH-58PZ850 (58.0" measured diagonally) and the 65-inch class TH-65PZ850 (64.8" measured diagonally). Coupled with Panasonic?s new VIERA CAST technology, the PZ850 series will give consumers on-screen access to a far broader range of unique content than ever before.
The PZ850 also makes it easy to enjoy High Definition digital still and video images in 16x9 widescreen format by inserting an SD Memory Card into the HDTV. While all of Panasonic's VIERA HDTVs can display digital still images via SD card, the PZ850 features H.264 codec making it possible to enjoy HD video content from a HD camcorder by simply inserting an SD Memory Card into the TV.
The PZ850 series features a Pro Setting Menu, a must-have for videophiles who can benefit from access to professional calibration software. Images come to life like never before in crisp color, clarity thanks to an enhanced native resolution contrast ratio of 30,000:1, a dynamic ratio of 1,000,000:1, 24p native reproduction, Digital Cinema Color Re-Mastering (a technology that allows for accurate color reproduction essential for movies), and Studio Reference Mode (provides faithful reproduction of the subtle colors intended by film makers).
For the avid gamer, the PZ850 series also offers a Game Mode which minimizes the time lag when displaying game images on the Plasma screen. The addition of four HDMI connections and a PC input also gives users greater flexibility to connect peripheral components to the display.
Like all Panasonic VIERA Plasma HDTVs, the PZ850 series panels contain no lead or mercury and deliver luminous efficiency and 100,000 hours of viewing time to half brightness (40+ years at 6+ hours viewing per day).
Additionally, the PZ850 series, as well as Panasonic's entire 2008 line of VIERA flat panels, features VIERA Link, a means to control multiple AV devices with one remote.